Feeder panel grounding question

10 years ago

If I have a feeder panel coming off of a 60A breaker from the main in a detached garage that is less than 3ft from the main panel what is proper as far as grounding goes? I understand that the feeder neutral bar and ground bar are NOT to be bonded. Since they are in the same structure can I just wire the ground bar in the feeder panel back to the ground bar in the main without having to add a grounding rod? So basically should I end up with neutral bar from feeder to neutral bar in main and ground bar from feeder to ground bar from main? I have seen many confusing answers due to separate buildings, but these are side by side. Thanks for your help.

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Comments (5)

randy427
10 years ago
In the same structure, the sub panel does not require a separate grounding rod.
mike_kaiser_gw
10 years ago
I'm not understanding your question. If the subpanel is in the same structure, then you don't need a ground rod. If the subpanel is in a different structure (even if the two structures are physically close to together) then you need a ground rod.

In any case, the neutral and the ground need to be separated in the subpanel. Which in most cases means you'll need to add a ground bar and maybe remove a screw or strap that ties the two together.
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Ron Natalie
10 years ago
Actually, you need a proper grounding system, which is likely two rods (or some other substitute).

Terminology: Feeder is the wiring leading from the main panel to the subpanel. "Feeder panel" is confusing. You're talking about the "fed" panel.

Anyhow, as pointed out, a separate structure. If there's more than one circuit, it needs it's own ground system. Current NEC still requires the ground to be connected between the two buildings, previously you could avoid running a ground between the buildings provided (in addition to having a grounding system at the outbuilding) that there were no metallic connections (water pipes, other wiring like phone or TV) between the buildings.
raym24
Original Author
10 years ago
Sorry for the confusion. Sub Panel is RIGHT next to main panel in the SAME Building (they are both in a detached garage). This is a second box in my garage one stud over. I basically need more circuits to allocate to the garage/shop and the main panel was full. It sounds like I can just run the ground from the sub panel to the main and be done with it since they are in the SAME building. If anyone disagrees then please let me know. Thanks for your all the advice.
Ron Natalie
10 years ago
If the feeder comes from a panel in the same building then yes, you can just run the ground plus all your current carrying wires (two hots and a neutral in single phase 120/240 systems). No need to connect the subpanel directly to the grounding system or install a second grounding system (in fact, you can't legally do the latter. If you put more grounding in for whatever reason, you need to bond all the building grounds together).